MM2H has been on my mind more and more lately. As a Singaporean who's nearing retirement, the thought of continuing to live in Singapore, with its ever-rising cost of living, can be a bit daunting, sia. You know, everything getting more expensive and as much as I love my home country, the idea of stretching my dollar further across the Causeway is quite shiok.
So, I've been seriously considering the Malaysia My Second Home visa. Why? Well, Malaysia offers a lot of the things I enjoy about Singapore but at a fraction of the cost. And JB is just a stone's throw away. When the RTS is finally up and running, it'll be even easier to shuttle back and forth. Best of both worlds, really.
Affordable Housing Just Across the Causeway
One of the biggest draws of
MM2H is the prospect of affordable housing. We all know that in Singapore, property prices can be siao ah. Sure, it's good for most of us owners. But net-net, what does it get us really? Well, in JB, you can get a really nice property at a much lower price. I've been looking at some landed homes there and it's so tempting, especially with the low Ringgit.
The idea is to buy a house in JB, something with a bit more space than our current Singapore home and the rental income this home generates should then easily cover the mortgage for our landed in JB. Or if you prefer to rent there, that's an option too of course. This is what cost of living arbitrage is all about. It really is the chance of a generation.
Imagine that: a nice landed home just across the Causeway, close enough to Singapore to go back anytime we want. Plus, with all the savings left and right, we can still enjoy a really good lifestyle, can probably live like expats. No need to feel tight every month. And the best part is, my Singaporean family and friends are about 45 minutes away. The same as taking the MRT rom Choa Chu kang to Bedok sia.
Living the Expat Life
Being a long-term MM2H-holder in Malaysia, I can enjoy the best of both worlds. The cost of living in JB is way lower, so the money saved can be spent on other things, like holidays, nice makan, or even just more leisurely activities. Plus, there are so many fellow Singaporeans and expats in JB that I won't feel like I'm away from home in the first place. The community is strong and I think it would be easy to make friends and feel at home. After all, there's so many Singaporeans already in JB.
By the way, healthcare is another plus point. Malaysia has good medical facilities, some of them owned and run by Singapore medical groups, including Gleneagles Medini and Regency Specialist Hospital, both facilities approved by CPF/Medisave. And with all the money saved from living costs, my wife and I can easily afford top-notch healthcare there. And at the same time, if needed, Singapore is just a hop away, so no worries about that.
Singapore Just 30-45 Minutes Away
The closeness to Singapore is what seals the deal for me. Once the RTS is up, commuting between JB and Singapore will be like taking the MRT already. It'll take about 30-45 minutes to get to Woodlands. No need to worry about feeling too far away or missing out on the Singaporean lifestyle. I'll still be close to everything, whether it's meeting up with my kaki for a beer or just being kaypoh about what's happening in Singapore.
So to me, this MM2H visa seems like a win-win, lor. I get to retire in a more relaxed environment, with much more spending power, while still being close to Singapore. It's definitely something I'm seriously considering and I wonder if other Singaporeans are thinking the same. Maybe it's time to explore new horizons, where we can enjoy our silver years and our golden years without the 24/7 stress of living costs getting out of hand.
In the end, MM2H offers a unique opportunity for Singaporeans like me who want to balance the best of both worlds. Malaysia's laid-back vibe, lower cost of living and closeness to the Causeway make it a very good choice.
Leo Goh,
Singapore
Care to get to know more about MM2H for Singaporeans? Go to the
mm2h.com.sg website.